ESA to UC Migration.

wirralguy

After some advice.When my last job ended i claimed JSA.
I then went through a difficult period and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Was advised to claim Incapacity Benefit,which i did.(Contribution based IB).

Was on CB IB for a few years before being moved to ESA(employment support allowance).

I was placed in Support Group and was on Contribution based ESA.

Some time later it was found that when claimants were being moved from Incapacity Benefit to ESA some may have been entitled to income related ESA but instead only awarded contribution-based ESA,and therefore missed out on premium payments,like enhanced disability premium(EDP).

I was one of the claimants who missed out on these premium payments so DWP contacted me and after 6 weeks wait i was awarded £5000 in back payments.

I know that claimants on ESA are being migrated to UC.

I am still on ESA Contribution Based and still in Support Group.The only change is that i have a small income related ESA to up(enhanced disability premium) which is added to my Contribution Based ESA.

Will i be migrated to UC considering I am in receipt of CB ESA SG with small income related top up? Thanks in advance

Kimmy87

Yes, because you receive IR ESA which is ending, you will be migrated to UC.

When someone is on both CB & IR ESA, upon migration the IR ESA ends and is replaced by UC, the CB ESA converts automatically into New Style ESA.

NS ESA will be paid separately from UC, fortnightly at a rate of £276.40.

This will be deducted in full (598.68) from each UC payment.

As UC is a monthly benefit and ESA weekly, the numbers may look wrong, but are right.

When NS ESA starts, you will get a generic letter which assumes your claim is brand new, and mentions a work coach etc, but don't panic that won't apply to your claim.

You will need a commitments interview for NS ESA this is just a formality, your commitments will be to keep them updated with any changes.

If you'd find attending the Job Center difficult, you can ask for a telephone appointment.

You will still automatically entitled to LCWRA under UC, and Support Group NS ESA.

wirralguy

Hi Kimmy.Thanks for your reply and information.

The income related part of my CB ESA is the enhanced disability premium(EDP).

At the moment i receive £318.20 per fortnight ESA(which is a bit more than the £276.40 you mentioned).Will i get a transitional protection amount added to UC?

It is all very confusing and stressful.

I guess that my HB and CTB will also have to be sorted out aswell.

Kimmy87

Transitional Protection is only added if your UC entitlement is lower than legacy benefits.

So not every claim will be eligible for TP as some are better off on UC. LCWRA pays more than ESA SG for example.

As part of the migration Housing Benefit will end, and be replaced by Housing Element paid under UC.

After claiming UC, you will get what's known as a run on payment, 2 weeks of both HB and IR ESA.

Council Tax Benefit is administered independently from UC by your local council. You will need to let them know for Council Tax purposes when you are migrated to UC.

As each area sets their own rules, some treat UC income differently to legacy benefits. Most Council Tax Reduction awards remain the same, but a few will have to pay a bit more towards their bill.

wirralguy

Hi Kimmy,thankyou for your reply and information.So my CB ESA SG will stop but become NS ESA SG? and my EDP will now be UC? So in effect i will get two separate payments? Really seems to be an incredibly stressful situation for all of us.

Kimmy87

Yes your understanding is correct.

It can be confusing in the beginning, but I promise once things settle it becomes easier.